Tropical hardwoods are used around the world by woodturners. Many of them come from endangered species and forests, but plenty do not.

As I researched and wrote "Environmental Responsibility, Parts I and II" for AAW's American Woodturner (2007-08), I learned that there is a worldwide information gap on the topic. What can I do myself--and how can I promote others--to protect the wild tropical forests and threatened species?

I decided to provide information and promote a campaign by woodturners, suppliers, galleries, and collectors similar to successful campaigns by other consumers of rainforest products.

To assemble this information I have relied upon the expertise of a number of organizations that are highly-respected experts in this field, most of which are identified on the quick links page.

Welcome to the online gallery of artistic and utilitarian woodturnings by Brad Whitman of Pennsylvania. All of the pieces turned and sold by Brad are from trees that have fallen to the ground for one reason or another and been available for scavenging. Brad turns no tropical hardwoods.

The finished art forms are end products of a creative process that begins with a chainsaw and ends with a buffing wheel. Brad gathers his own wood, rough-turns it while it is still green, dries it, re-mounts it on the lathe, fine-turns it, and sands and finishes it--a time cycle of several months.

Brad's philosophy and artistic style are fundamentally organic and minimalist. He releases the natural, inner beauty of the tree and brings it to life and into the living room. Brad avoids ornamentation that interferes with natural grain, color, and figure in the wood, and he strives for pure, graceful, classical lines and for uniform, often very delicate, vessel walls.

The pieces shown on this website are not for sale. If you are interested in discussing woodturning, please contact Brad by email.